Is it safe to swim in lakes near Willmar?

That is a call for Minnesota's water agency and the county health department, who post current advisories. 11 lakes within driving distance of Willmar pass the low-algae screen (favourable clarity and nutrient readings, chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L, public access). The top pick on those readings is Eagle Lake in Kandiyohi County, 5 miles away. Bacteria can spike after heavy rain, so always check the current advisories before you swim.

Which lakes near Willmar have bacteria testing?

None of the lakes near Willmar have enough recent bacteria samples on record, so these lakes are screened on water clarity and algae (chlorophyll-a) instead. Always check posted advisories before swimming.

What is the cleanest swimming lake near Willmar?

Eagle Lake (Kandiyohi County) is the cleanest swim lake near Willmar on measured clarity and nutrients, with 6.9 ft of water clarity.

Swimming Lakes Near Willmar, MN: Clarity, Algae and Bacteria Readings (2026)

11 lakes within driving distance of Willmar, Minnesota pass the low-algae screen — favourable clarity and nutrient readings, low algae, and public access. 0 have direct bacteria (E. coli) testing on record. Filtered for the clearest, lowest-nutrient readings in the sampling record, low algae (chlorophyll-a under 15 µg/L), and public access. Not a swimming clearance: always check local advisories on the day you swim.

A moderate cluster of 11 graded lakes lies within reach of Willmar, averaging a grade of A. Eagle Lake (A) is the cleanest of the set.

The swimming-specific ranking layered on top of the letter grade is what produces the list below: a grade-good lake that does not also support the swimming use case is less useful than a grade-decent lake that does.

#	Lake	County	Bacteria	Distance	Clarity	Depth
1	Eagle Lake	Kandiyohi	Low algae	5 mi	6.9 ft	67 ft
2	Elkhorn Lake	Kandiyohi	Low algae	7.8 mi	14 ft	41 ft
3	Henderson Lake	Kandiyohi	Limited data	7.9 mi	13.5 ft	57 ft
4	George Lake	Kandiyohi	Low algae	8.9 mi	15 ft	34 ft
5	Florida Lake	Kandiyohi	Low algae	9.1 mi	12.3 ft	40 ft
6	Green Lake	Kandiyohi	Low algae	11.7 mi	14.1 ft	110 ft
7	Crow R Mill Pond	Kandiyohi	Low algae	13.4 mi	7 ft	14 ft
8	Long Lake	Kandiyohi	Low algae	16.6 mi	10.5 ft	46 ft
9	Minnie-Belle Lake	Meeker	Low algae	25.9 mi	14.4 ft	49 ft
10	Scandinavian Lake	Pope	Limited data	27.1 mi	8 ft	49 ft
11	Linka Lake	Pope	Low algae	30 mi	10.2 ft	50 ft

Other activities near Willmar

Fishing near Willmar →Kayaking near Willmar →Boating near Willmar →All lakes near Willmar →

Where to stay near Willmar

Compare lakeside cabins, hotels, and vacation rentals near Willmar — book a place close to the best-rated lakes in the area.

Top-rated places to stay near Willmar

Prices for Sep 18–20, 4 adults. Change dates on the map below.

Availability and prices from Stay22 partners (Booking.com, Vrbo, Expedia). We may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.

Planning a trip to Willmar?

Get lake water-quality updates plus the best cabin & lodging deals near Willmar — straight to your inbox. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Source: EPA National Aquatic Resource Surveys, 2026.